Improved electrical apparatus for lighting gas



s. H. VANCE, Electric Gas-Lighter.

N0. 31,359. Patented Feb. 5, 1861.

F'a'inafies NEW g6 'CLW Q2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

SAML. B. n. VANCE, or new vonx, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO MITCHELL, VANCE a co.

IMPROVED ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING GAS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 31,359, dated February 5, 1861.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, S. B. H. VANCE, of the city, county, and State of New York, have in vented a new and Improved Device for Lighting Gas by Electricity; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which-- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a modification of the same.

Similar letters of reference in both views indicate corresponding parts.

All the devices which have heretofore been proposed are either connected to a number of gas-burners either in the streets or in a house with the object of lighting the whole number simultaneously and by the spark created by y the same electrical machine, or they are firmly secured to the chandelier, bracket, drop-light, stand, or other analogous fixture, and so arranged that by turning the cock to let on the gas the electrical machine is brought into action.

The former devices have so far not proved practicable, and with the latter it is necessary to affix a distinct electrometer to each chandelier or other fixture, rendering the whole very expensive.

The object of my invention is to arrange each burner by means of a cup, hook, or other device in such a manner that a portable electrical machine can be used for lighting the gas emanating from each burner separately; or, in other words, so that the portable electric machine can be used in place of the lamp, wax taper, or other match generally used for lighting gas.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation with reference to the drawings.

Each of my burners Ais provided with a small pointed hook, B, which is supported by a bracket, (3, made of some non-conducting or insulating material, and slipped over or otherwise attached to the burner, as clearly shown in the drawings. The pointed end of this hook projects a short distance above the burner and over its center, so as to bring the electric spark in contact with the gas emanating from the burner, and at the same time to allow the oxygen of the atmosphere to mingle with the gas before the same is brought in contact with the electric spark. The lower end of the hook B is provided with a cup, to, to facilitate the insertion of the rod 1), which leads to the electrical machine; or, instead of the cup at, a small loop, a, Fig. 2, may be formed, which receives the end of the rod 1).

The electric machineD which I use consists of a square or oblong case, 0, which is open on two sides and provided with an insulated handle, d. The sides of the case form the bearings for the rotary shaft 0, to which the glass disk f is attached, which, by rubbing against the pads g of leather or any other suitable material, produces the sparks. The sparks are collected by the pointed forks h, which connect by means of arms '6 with the globe that is secured to the top plate of the case by means of a stem, k, of glass or other non-conducting material. The rod 1), which serves to communicate the spark to the burner, screws into the globe j, and a portion of said rod is formed into a spiral spring, 1;, whereby the danger of injuring the electrometer by bringing the rod up hard against the burner or against any other resisting body is obviated.

If it is desired to light the gas, the electr al machine is set in motion until it is charged, and the rod b is now brought in contact with the pointed hook B, and the spark thereby produced sets fire to the gas emanating from the burner.

The device may be used for lighting the burncrs in the streets or in the house, each separately, and it may also be used for lighting the several burners of a chandelier all at once. In this case it will be necessary to provide the chandelier with a cup, which connects by means of suitable conductors with the pointed hooks attached to the several burners. If the electrical machine is properly constructed and of sufficient power, any number of burners can thus be lighted simultaneously.

The principal advantage of my invention arises from the fact that it can be used in place of the lamp, candle, or other match generally used for lighting gas without materially increasing the cost of the burners.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure I electric machine D, in the manner and for the by Letters Patent, is purpose specified.

1. The employment or use of aportable elec- 3. Giving to a portion of the rod 1) the form tiic machine, D, such as herein described, in of a spiral spring, as and for the purpose set place of the lamp, candle, taper, or other match forth.

generally used for the purpose of lighting gas. SAML. B. H. VANCE.

2. The arrangement of the cups a, or their \Vitnesses: equivalents, to operate in combination with G. W. REED,

the pointed hooks B, burners A, and with the M. M. GRoMPToN. 

